Active Member

The main problem with the original layout is light on the screen. Firstly the TV is in the bay window and secondly, the doors at the bottom of the plan have glass in them and lead to the dining room whcih has another bay window, meaning lots of light coming through - nice for living in, not so nice when it's on your telly!

The radiator didn't cause any problems - I turned it off!! (the fireplace and other radiator do a good enough job of heating the room!)

Buns - my eventual plan is to have the fireplace removed (it's a gas fire anyway, not a real fireplace) and have a plasma screen put in, but in the meantime, I want to make the best of what I've got!

Active Member

the sofa is where it is because it has high arms, which would actually block your view of th screen if it were against the other wall with the TV where it is now!

The only problem I am having with the sound at the moment is that I am very aware of the rear speakers, however the levels are correct and if I reduce them, the front soundstage dominates completely in movies.

Well-known Member

As above, the first plan is the best. If I were to have the TV in the corner though (in fact I do at the moment!) I'd have the front L&R actually next to the TV, and put the rear L where you've suggested having the front R.

It's how my room's set up at the moment (blame the parents), and although all the speakers are in front of you, it's still quite effective.

Active Member

If I had the TV in the corner, I could not have the speakers as you describe for 2 reasons - the fronts are floorstanders and are not shielded, meaning they could not go right next to the TV and they need to be a decent distance from corners and rear waals.!

Also, I don't think the positions you've described would give a very good stereo image for music.

Well-known Member

Fair points Chez. Certainly not great for music, but I use a different setup in my bedroom for that.

Floorstanders will also need the breathing room you mention but you might be able to get away with them not being shielded depending on the model - mine aren't shielded (Mission 771e's standmounts (on floor!)) but everything works fine with them only about 0.5metres from the TV.

I think the consensus is definitely that your first example is definitely the best for both HC and music. The second is a more 'room friendly' layout but this comes with several compromises. At the end of the day it's up to you to decide where your priorities lie (stereo music reproduction; home cinema; aesthetics), make some vague plans around them and do more minor adjustments around that.